I did not grow up in an entrepreneurial culture. As a girl, I was raised with the idea of getting married and having a family when I grew up. I decided I wanted a career, too. The prevailing career guidance was geared toward getting a college degree and finding a job. Even my engineering curriculum in college did not include business or management classes.

Through the years I began to explore ideas for developing my interests into a revenue stream. I did not want to create a business with employees; I wanted to work for myself and do something I felt passionate about. After attempting to get several ventures launched and failing to generate enough income to make them viable, I really felt like I was missing some important ingredient. I knew this was something I had a deep desire to do, but I just could not figure out what it took to succeed.

Traditional Business Advice Misses the Mark

I followed a lot of traditional business advice: I phoned or emailed virtually everyone that I had met over the years; I went to networking events and conferences; and I created a website. Yet with all the energy and effort I put into it; I was never able to generate consistent income. Having a website and starting a blog did not magically begin to attract clients.

I certainly did not feel like a successful entrepreneur. Traditional business advice made things seem so complex and my failed attempts just seemed to confirm it. It was common to run across information and comments like:

• Starting a business is hard.
• You better have plenty of money in the bank or someone to support you.
• When you have your own business it is either feast or famine.
• You have to work long hours and give up having a life when you start your own business.
• It takes 3 years to really get a business going.
• Once your business takes off it is hard to get away.

Have you heard any of these? Maybe you have your own to add?

A lot of this “advice” was given by well meaning people, often by someone who was overwhelmed or struggling with their own business. The overall message seemed to be: you are better off just being an employee. However, it was not working for me. Being an employee was not satisfying. It was not feeding my soul, my inner desire. I was determined to figure it out.

The Internet Provides New Opportunities

When I first started exploring the idea of starting my own business the opportunities we have today were just not as readily available. The internet has changed our lives in many ways and that includes business. It has become the primary resource for finding information and products, as well as connecting with others and sharing.

The internet offers lots of information, but the gems to be found are through those that share their wisdom. They help others make meaning of all the overwhelming information and data by providing their expertise about a particular subject. There is a lot of bad information out there to wade through. People are looking for solutions to their challenges, ways to improve themselves and find deeper meaning without sorting through lots of junk.

The other shift that is occurring is that people are choosing to do business with individuals they can trust rather than large impersonal corporations. There has been a tendency for the solo-business owner to do things to make their business look larger: using “we” instead of “I” and emulating larger businesses by being impersonal in their approach.

Today there are many entrepreneurs that are demonstrating that being authentic and providing a personal touch is extremely effective. No more pretending and trying to play like big business. They are also demonstrating that you do not need to have a large staff (or any employees at all) to enjoy a lucrative, fulfilling business and a life.

A Business Model that Works

These factors together offer an incredible opportunity for individuals that want to work for themselves and share their experience and wisdom with others. This business model can be shaped around an individual’s unique interests. It is not for everyone, but is well-suited to those that have an affinity for teaching. Not teaching in traditional terms, but through many unique expressions and approaches.

At the most fundamental level, it involves developing content that can help people learn something or overcome a problem. The specific niche is primarily determined by tapping into personal experiences, talents or deep interests. It is effective for those who want to provide personal services like coaches, facilitators, holistic practitioners and even tour guides. It may include training programs and products; coaching or consulting; seminars and retreats; writing books and speaking. It could expand on creative endeavors such as art, photography and learning games. There are as many ways to tailor this business as there are unique expressions.

Creating a thriving business doing something that inspires you does not have to be difficult or overwhelming. You can start where you are with no financial investment. You may choose to get some support along the way, investing in yourself, but there are no significant start-up costs. Even if you have some uncertainty about starting your own business, I encourage you to take time to explore this idea and see where it leads.

Having my own business is fun and rewarding. I do spend a lot of time focused on my business, but it does not feel like work. It is something I am passionate about. I also have flexibility and life balance. As these winter days are getting shorter, it is nice to be able to take time to enjoy a hike before the sun goes down adjusting my schedule to fit the season.

I have discovered that I do indeed have entrepreneurial qualities, but they were not particularly apparent when I was dragging myself to a job, feeling unmotivated and exhausted. It is an entirely different experience now that I am acting from inspiration. As I choose to express and create authentically, I feel energized and ready to greet each new day. My old fears of not being motivated enough or knowing enough have dissolved.

If you have a desire to share your message and start your own business, this is a great time to start. I will be providing more information and strategies for implementing this business model in upcoming blog posts, as well as through other content. If you would like to be notified when new content is available, subscribe to my newsletter. It is a companion to the blog posts and provides additional tips.

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